Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Green Planet Productions
I landed another internship. I'm really grateful I got this one; it'll allow me to see if I want to go into film production or not. I got a fancy new email and even a company water bottle. No more free boards and skate videos but at least I get to actually work. The firm does commercial and documentary work advocating alternative energy and a cleaner environment; last year their documentary Fuel won Sundance. I just might develop a much greener conscious and a few bags under my eyes. Working and being a full-time student is going to be a challenge, but here I go.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Vans Downtown Showdown
Two Skateboarder events in the same week makes me quite the lucky intern. Just another contest with all the big names, only it was held on the set of Paramount Pictures. The Hollywood lot was full of the typical LA hipsters as well as all the OC weirdos who decided to follow the crowd. Top hats, checkered pants, Canon DSLRs and the occasional "Who's Nick Trapasso?" were the mandatory requirements to fit in. All in all though, good vibes all around, and I got to see my homies from Active back in Brea.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Standard Hotel
Skateboarder Magazine held a sick Mini-Ramp Jam Contest, judged by the skaters themselves at the Standard Hotel in Hollywood. While initially I was a little skeptical about the scope of the event, when I saw names such as Andrew Reynolds, Mike Carroll, Vincent Alvarez, Daniel Castillo, Eric Koston, and Dylan Rieder among many others, I immediately retracted my statement. An awesome night of skateboarding, pros, girls, and drinks. Check out the recap and photos of the night at SkateboarderMag.com
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Nollie Flips With Justin Nguyen
This was an old college essay attempt that I was experimenting with. It's totally cheesy, but I threw in some profanity to help it out. It's kind of like a photo with accompanying text.
1. The feeling of rolling away from a trick, no matter how simple, is purely liberating. Unfortunately for you, this trick isn’t so simple – it involves flipping the board from the nose instead of the tail, essentially kickflipping switch stance. Roll nollie, with your front foot on the nose and your weight in the middle of the board.
2. Check yoself before you wreck yoself. Being hotheaded and breaking your ankle is one of many ways to humble yourself, as I’ve learned. So make sure you chigity-check yoself. Set your feet up - front foot square on the nose and your back foot hanging off the bolts in a pointy nollie-flippy position.
3. This is where vision meets reality. Pop the nose like you’re poppin’ a cap. If at first you don’t succeed, call an airstrike.
4. Every jump is a leap to defy the laws of physics and to be finally amount to something greater than this limited world - so jump high. Flick your back foot across the board to make it turn on its axis. Try to avoid looking like a frog.
5. Take your time – watch it flip and wait for that familiar grippy tape. Good things come to those who [skate] (I think its supposed to be “wait”). Appreciate the beauty of the physics – its pretty wicked eh?
6. Do not think. Feel. As Bruce Lee said. If you’re feelin’ it, stick that shit!
7. Bring your board down and roll away like a boss. Destroy all obstacles, be it rocks, bumps, or even security guards.
8. Congratulate yourself and repeat about one thousand more times. Practice makes perfect, being steezy ain't easy.
Like art, skateboarding has no set of rules or boundaries, and everyone has their own individual style. Now that I’ve shown you the basics, go out and make it your own; craft your own personal Nollie Flip. I’m Justin Nguyen and that’s how you Nollie Flip. Now throw it off some stairs!
1. The feeling of rolling away from a trick, no matter how simple, is purely liberating. Unfortunately for you, this trick isn’t so simple – it involves flipping the board from the nose instead of the tail, essentially kickflipping switch stance. Roll nollie, with your front foot on the nose and your weight in the middle of the board.
2. Check yoself before you wreck yoself. Being hotheaded and breaking your ankle is one of many ways to humble yourself, as I’ve learned. So make sure you chigity-check yoself. Set your feet up - front foot square on the nose and your back foot hanging off the bolts in a pointy nollie-flippy position.
3. This is where vision meets reality. Pop the nose like you’re poppin’ a cap. If at first you don’t succeed, call an airstrike.
4. Every jump is a leap to defy the laws of physics and to be finally amount to something greater than this limited world - so jump high. Flick your back foot across the board to make it turn on its axis. Try to avoid looking like a frog.
5. Take your time – watch it flip and wait for that familiar grippy tape. Good things come to those who [skate] (I think its supposed to be “wait”). Appreciate the beauty of the physics – its pretty wicked eh?
6. Do not think. Feel. As Bruce Lee said. If you’re feelin’ it, stick that shit!
7. Bring your board down and roll away like a boss. Destroy all obstacles, be it rocks, bumps, or even security guards.
8. Congratulate yourself and repeat about one thousand more times. Practice makes perfect, being steezy ain't easy.
Like art, skateboarding has no set of rules or boundaries, and everyone has their own individual style. Now that I’ve shown you the basics, go out and make it your own; craft your own personal Nollie Flip. I’m Justin Nguyen and that’s how you Nollie Flip. Now throw it off some stairs!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Chasing Perfection (Short Film)
A short film about an individual's compulsive behavior and its accompanying loneliness. Filmed with Canon's 5D Mark II and the Rebel T2i. Edited in Final Cut Pro. Featuring Chris Robertson and music by The Album Leaf and The Veils. Enjoy.
A Day in the Life
A short edit filmed by Brandon's Nikon d90 and Kevin's 5D Mark2. Edited in Final Cut Pro. Graphics done by Sam Jau. Inspired by Fred Mortagne's shorts.
It was a fun experience filming and being unproductive. Stay tuned for more shorts!
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